Our lives are filled with decisions daily. Some of them are simple off the cuff, no-brainer's, while others demand a different level of consideration. My Grandmother always had a saying that applies here, "Never make a decision in haste or anger. Things will always look clearer with that dawn of a new day." Granny was always wise like that, but then she had years of experience. Whenever I'm confronted with a potential life altering decision, I use this method.....
First and foremost, I make sure I have all the facts, being uninformed is a recipe for disaster. Secondly, I evaluate how this decision balances morally. Third, I always look for a win/win result. This three step process is foolproof and here's why.
A fact based decision, in conjunction with what's morally and ethically correct, guided by win/win principles is simply applying the golden rule. Your treating others as you'd wish to be treated! Insuring the decision falls within your moral guidelines means you'll never have to stand in disgrace and answer for what you've done. As a former boss once told me it's "being above reproach!"
I have to admit, using this formula isn't always popular, but then if taking the moral high road was popular, more people would do it. You may have to take a stand for what you believe. This is when it's critical to know exactly, what you believe and why. The comfort in using this formula is come judgement day, you can and will be held accountable by your maker. What better way to stand before your creator then bathed in the sunlight of integrity, character, and morality?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Anarchy?
Today I'm going to jump in on a current event issue. I overheard a proponent of illegal immigration use the liberal talking point that, "we are a nation of immigrants." Now on the surface that's true, but as an argument it doesn't pass the smell test. Let's compare apples to apples, shall we.....
When the first settlers breeched the shores there were a few differences. First, as I've noted before, they were commissioned by European governments to develop a new territory. While they did share the commonality of current illegal immigrants by wanting a better life, there was no support system to overwhelm. This uncharted land didn't educate their children. There wasn't a system of healthcare to abuse. There were no entitlements offered. Most importantly there was no drug trafficking by the new residents. They didn't break existing laws when they landed here.
The left will also jump up and down calling the opposition racists and bigots, throwing a tantrum over their belief these laws are designed to target skin color. Nay,nay, these laws are applied equally to everyone. If your a Canadian here illegally, you too will receive this treatment. If your an Irish immigrant here without the proper documentation, again this law applies to you, and it goes on and on.
It boils down to this, we've created a system of entitlements. Most of it proposed by the people who are complaining the loudest. We have to protect our financial interests, an overload of people here without invites will ruin the system. It's like having a dinner party turn into an open house and the caterer being overwhelmed and not having enough food to go around. They are proposing anarchy when it comes to immigration. The states have the right to protect their budget. Problems of any form are always best solved at the lowest level.
We are a nation of laws. Ask the supporters of illegal immigration, what level of lawlessness are you willing to accept?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
When the first settlers breeched the shores there were a few differences. First, as I've noted before, they were commissioned by European governments to develop a new territory. While they did share the commonality of current illegal immigrants by wanting a better life, there was no support system to overwhelm. This uncharted land didn't educate their children. There wasn't a system of healthcare to abuse. There were no entitlements offered. Most importantly there was no drug trafficking by the new residents. They didn't break existing laws when they landed here.
The left will also jump up and down calling the opposition racists and bigots, throwing a tantrum over their belief these laws are designed to target skin color. Nay,nay, these laws are applied equally to everyone. If your a Canadian here illegally, you too will receive this treatment. If your an Irish immigrant here without the proper documentation, again this law applies to you, and it goes on and on.
It boils down to this, we've created a system of entitlements. Most of it proposed by the people who are complaining the loudest. We have to protect our financial interests, an overload of people here without invites will ruin the system. It's like having a dinner party turn into an open house and the caterer being overwhelmed and not having enough food to go around. They are proposing anarchy when it comes to immigration. The states have the right to protect their budget. Problems of any form are always best solved at the lowest level.
We are a nation of laws. Ask the supporters of illegal immigration, what level of lawlessness are you willing to accept?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Speed of Trust!
Corruption in one area of life always spills over to other areas.
Mull that one over for a second.
Does anyone come to mind? Maybe someone who holds a position of power? Isn't it interesting we often elect or appoint someone to a leadership position in spite of an indiscretion, a lapse of morals as it were. It never ceases to amaze me when that same person continues the same behavior, and we are aghast.
I heard a great story the other day just to this point.
A wall street investment firm, before raising capital for a new venture, did it's due diligence. This involved extensive background checks into the people on the receiving end of their investment. On one occasion when considering investing in a software company, their investigation found out the founder had his driver's license suspended for traffic violations. More recently he'd been arrested for driving with a suspended license. When he was confronted with the information, he chose to deny it, passing it off as someone with a similar name.
Thinking perhaps he was correct, they check the information again, same result. When the truth was exposed and he was shown there was no mistake, he continued to deny it. When the committee met to discuss risking a five million dollar investment in his company, this was the conclusion...
"If he lied to us about his driving record, how truthful will he be about how he spends our investment capital? If there is bad news, we can be certain, we'll be the last to hear of it." They turned down the opportunity.
If we as voters did our due diligence, how many of our elected officials would have their positions? We trust them with our freedom, and true to form, that trust is misplaced. They lack the character and integrity to be our representatives, and the result is apparent. Everyone makes mistakes, and we are all human, but character demands we own our shortcomings. Beware of those who make excuses. Be extra aware of those who put a spin on the truth.
"Truth tampered with is truth lost!"
-A.J. Nock
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mull that one over for a second.
Does anyone come to mind? Maybe someone who holds a position of power? Isn't it interesting we often elect or appoint someone to a leadership position in spite of an indiscretion, a lapse of morals as it were. It never ceases to amaze me when that same person continues the same behavior, and we are aghast.
I heard a great story the other day just to this point.
A wall street investment firm, before raising capital for a new venture, did it's due diligence. This involved extensive background checks into the people on the receiving end of their investment. On one occasion when considering investing in a software company, their investigation found out the founder had his driver's license suspended for traffic violations. More recently he'd been arrested for driving with a suspended license. When he was confronted with the information, he chose to deny it, passing it off as someone with a similar name.
Thinking perhaps he was correct, they check the information again, same result. When the truth was exposed and he was shown there was no mistake, he continued to deny it. When the committee met to discuss risking a five million dollar investment in his company, this was the conclusion...
"If he lied to us about his driving record, how truthful will he be about how he spends our investment capital? If there is bad news, we can be certain, we'll be the last to hear of it." They turned down the opportunity.
If we as voters did our due diligence, how many of our elected officials would have their positions? We trust them with our freedom, and true to form, that trust is misplaced. They lack the character and integrity to be our representatives, and the result is apparent. Everyone makes mistakes, and we are all human, but character demands we own our shortcomings. Beware of those who make excuses. Be extra aware of those who put a spin on the truth.
"Truth tampered with is truth lost!"
-A.J. Nock
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A Tale of Two Men!
There are but a few things that stand out in my memory when it comes to the history I've lived. Some of my earliest memories are of President Kennedy's addresses to this nation way back in the dawn of the 1960's. When the President spoke back then, everyone stopped and listened. In fact it was often broadcast over the PA system in our school. I remember the President asking the country to, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," a call to patriotism. Times were tough, and he was trying to break an entitlement mentality, a group sacrifice for the good of the nation. We rallied together as a nation, and responded in kind to that request to be unselfish.
The President then addressed Congress and called for American exceptionalism. He declared a challenge to, walk a man on there moon in the next before the decade expired. Again our country responded favorably, and began inventing the technology necessary, where none had existed prior to that time.
I also remember an American-African standing for an unpopular cause, and describing his dream. Where all men were judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood in solidarity with others who believed in his cause, with a look of fear and determination about his face. It was a justified fear, as if he knew his cause would have consequences.
These are great example of how great leaders inspire a nation to respond in a favorable manner. There are no lies here, no apologies, no spin. They both energized the country, they both confronted the problems of their time with the truth, and they have both gone down in history as great men Not just because they gave their life for what they believed in, but more for the results they achieved.
Where has our leadership gone?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The President then addressed Congress and called for American exceptionalism. He declared a challenge to, walk a man on there moon in the next before the decade expired. Again our country responded favorably, and began inventing the technology necessary, where none had existed prior to that time.
I also remember an American-African standing for an unpopular cause, and describing his dream. Where all men were judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood in solidarity with others who believed in his cause, with a look of fear and determination about his face. It was a justified fear, as if he knew his cause would have consequences.
These are great example of how great leaders inspire a nation to respond in a favorable manner. There are no lies here, no apologies, no spin. They both energized the country, they both confronted the problems of their time with the truth, and they have both gone down in history as great men Not just because they gave their life for what they believed in, but more for the results they achieved.
Where has our leadership gone?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Do As I Say, Not As I Do!
Someone should bet me I can't go a week without writing about politics. It's just not going to happen. Especially when I have such great watchdogs out there who keep feeding me articles and information, I just have to comment on. Dennis Prager wrote a piece the other day commenting on media bias, well left wing media bias, and he was spot on. Not just about the media, but about the whole leftist hypocrisy.
The piece drew a very accurate depiction of liberal hate toward opposition. This is not just an intense dislike, it's as real as it gets. You don't comment about how you'd love to see Rush Limbaugh die a painful death, while you stand there and enjoy it, without exposing how vile a person you are. Hey, I know this is one person in a sea of ideology, yet it isn't an isolated incident. It's an exposure of living a life free of morals, principles, and character.
You cannot walk through the disadvantaged neighborhoods of our country and sympathize with their plight, promise them a better life, then go back to Washington and sell the need for everyone to sacrifice our hard earned income to correct the situation. Then turn around and have your tax returns reveal you either haven't paid your taxes, made moves to circumvent the tax laws, or made a scant effort to donate to charity. If it touches your soul enough to feel the need to correct, you need to make a personal effort to do your part. Otherwise, your like a guard dog that barks then runs behind the sofa in fear.
You can't complain that after you took the teaching of Christian principles out of the school, that society has become morally bankrupt.
It's absurd to believe that American exceptionalism will continue, while you teach our youth not to keep score, so no one get their feelings hurt.
How long can the love of our Republic be expected to survive, when you throw up every roadblock imaginable at our youth to prevent them from learning and saying the Pledge of Allegiance?
How do you expect to end racism, when everyone who disagrees with your ideology is labeled a racist, because you can't defend this hypocrisy? How does racism whither away when you refuse to confront Black Panther's interfering with the voting process?
We can't create this wonderful world you envision unless you choose to participate. Where is written leftists are exempt from the struggle to make productive change? It becomes more and more apparent as liberals separate themselves from how they believe we should respond, that they feel they are above all of this. A ruling class, as it were. Aren't you in fact trying to tell us how to live our lives, but ignoring your own advice? Sounds like a dictatorship to me!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The piece drew a very accurate depiction of liberal hate toward opposition. This is not just an intense dislike, it's as real as it gets. You don't comment about how you'd love to see Rush Limbaugh die a painful death, while you stand there and enjoy it, without exposing how vile a person you are. Hey, I know this is one person in a sea of ideology, yet it isn't an isolated incident. It's an exposure of living a life free of morals, principles, and character.
You cannot walk through the disadvantaged neighborhoods of our country and sympathize with their plight, promise them a better life, then go back to Washington and sell the need for everyone to sacrifice our hard earned income to correct the situation. Then turn around and have your tax returns reveal you either haven't paid your taxes, made moves to circumvent the tax laws, or made a scant effort to donate to charity. If it touches your soul enough to feel the need to correct, you need to make a personal effort to do your part. Otherwise, your like a guard dog that barks then runs behind the sofa in fear.
You can't complain that after you took the teaching of Christian principles out of the school, that society has become morally bankrupt.
It's absurd to believe that American exceptionalism will continue, while you teach our youth not to keep score, so no one get their feelings hurt.
How long can the love of our Republic be expected to survive, when you throw up every roadblock imaginable at our youth to prevent them from learning and saying the Pledge of Allegiance?
How do you expect to end racism, when everyone who disagrees with your ideology is labeled a racist, because you can't defend this hypocrisy? How does racism whither away when you refuse to confront Black Panther's interfering with the voting process?
We can't create this wonderful world you envision unless you choose to participate. Where is written leftists are exempt from the struggle to make productive change? It becomes more and more apparent as liberals separate themselves from how they believe we should respond, that they feel they are above all of this. A ruling class, as it were. Aren't you in fact trying to tell us how to live our lives, but ignoring your own advice? Sounds like a dictatorship to me!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, July 26, 2010
Begin With You!
" You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
-Buddha
Wise words! Who, but you is more deserving of your love? After all, you're a creation of God, and he just doesn't make mistakes. We have to learn to love ourselves enough to make the changes necessary to be the absolute best example of His glory. It's our responsibility to be the best us we can be. That's the first step to honor our creator.
How can one not be a success when living that mantra? You honor your maker by being the best you possible. If we all took that outlook, what a wonderful world this could be! Start with you, and the rest falls into place. Our circle of influence is strongest within ourselves., so we will get the most effective results from our efforts concentrating there.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
-Buddha
Wise words! Who, but you is more deserving of your love? After all, you're a creation of God, and he just doesn't make mistakes. We have to learn to love ourselves enough to make the changes necessary to be the absolute best example of His glory. It's our responsibility to be the best us we can be. That's the first step to honor our creator.
How can one not be a success when living that mantra? You honor your maker by being the best you possible. If we all took that outlook, what a wonderful world this could be! Start with you, and the rest falls into place. Our circle of influence is strongest within ourselves., so we will get the most effective results from our efforts concentrating there.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Love Trumps Fear!
The opposite of love is fear, but what is all encompassing, can have no opposite.
-A Course in Miracles.
How any times in life have you come across someone who hands you statements like this?.....
It's every man for himself.
I just don't know about the future.
Men/Women are only looking for one thing from me.
I just don't know about this economy.
Woe is me.......
I think you get the picture, You're dealing with a consistent negative mind set, someone who lives their life base in fear. That fear causes them to live a reactive life of perceived threats, whether real or imagined. What I like to refer to as living a scarcity mentality, rather than one of abundance.It's an ongoing strategic response to life, a virtual permanent defense mechanism. This stigma carries with it a constrictive and painful existence, that guarantees a never ending cycle of disappointments, fuel by the expectation of yet more to come.
How do you conquer this ingrained negativity? Well I've always been told you get what you picture. Try viewing the world through the eyes of love, rather than the fear of suspicion. The need to replace the negative focus with a positive force fueled by a loving intention.
Have you ever met someone who exaggerates everything? It's driven by the fear you won't accept the story they are trying to tell you. For some reason they assume a defensive posture and have to aggrandize their narrative. It's a cry for love and acceptance. They are communicating to you they don't feel worthy of your love and yearn your respect. Albeit the exact opposite of the road to respect.
We overcome this shortfall by applying more love and assurance. It's also imperative to insist on the truth. A good fish story is one thing, but keeping the message clear that you expect the truth from those you have a relationship with is critical when dealing with this condition. This has to be conveyed with love, remember they are already unsure of their position with you. So walk softly, and in love to repair this lack of self worth!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
-A Course in Miracles.
How any times in life have you come across someone who hands you statements like this?.....
It's every man for himself.
I just don't know about the future.
Men/Women are only looking for one thing from me.
I just don't know about this economy.
Woe is me.......
I think you get the picture, You're dealing with a consistent negative mind set, someone who lives their life base in fear. That fear causes them to live a reactive life of perceived threats, whether real or imagined. What I like to refer to as living a scarcity mentality, rather than one of abundance.It's an ongoing strategic response to life, a virtual permanent defense mechanism. This stigma carries with it a constrictive and painful existence, that guarantees a never ending cycle of disappointments, fuel by the expectation of yet more to come.
How do you conquer this ingrained negativity? Well I've always been told you get what you picture. Try viewing the world through the eyes of love, rather than the fear of suspicion. The need to replace the negative focus with a positive force fueled by a loving intention.
Have you ever met someone who exaggerates everything? It's driven by the fear you won't accept the story they are trying to tell you. For some reason they assume a defensive posture and have to aggrandize their narrative. It's a cry for love and acceptance. They are communicating to you they don't feel worthy of your love and yearn your respect. Albeit the exact opposite of the road to respect.
We overcome this shortfall by applying more love and assurance. It's also imperative to insist on the truth. A good fish story is one thing, but keeping the message clear that you expect the truth from those you have a relationship with is critical when dealing with this condition. This has to be conveyed with love, remember they are already unsure of their position with you. So walk softly, and in love to repair this lack of self worth!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, July 23, 2010
A Portait of Humility!
For seventeen days, the thirty three year old, secluded himself in a rented room in Philadelphia.
On a small portable desk, he began writing, laying the foundation of this new American government. Contrary to every other nation of the world, the United States of America wouldn't be led by the tyranny of royalty. This nation would be based on ideals!
It was a seventeen day gestation period for the birth of our country. Thomas Jefferson wrote and rewrote the words that would begin our quest for freedom. When he was satisfied, he nervously handed the document to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin for their approval.
The Declaration of Independence was the greatest decree in Western civilization!
I dare say most men would have flaunted the authoring of this masterpiece, but he never bragged about his accomplishment. Even when he was elected president, most Americans never knew he penned the document that set them free. In fact it wasn't until after his death that it became common knowledge. Doesn't that seem unusual in this day and time?
Jefferson preferred to remain humble because what he wrote was a unified statement of a country, not the work of just one man. He was the messenger, not the message. Another outstanding quality of leadership, often overlooked by people in positions of power. We can learn a lot about leading from this humble and gracious man.
How can we not be the greatest nation and super power on earth with beginnings like this? We were left a foot print to success to follow, yet I fear we've strayed. Are the people trying to send our country another way truly smarter than our founders? Do they stand on principle and act with humility as our forefathers did? I submit, that upon further review, we will find a gaggle of posers promoting their own agenda. They don't pass the smell test, and don't deserve to stand even in the shadows of such great men.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
On a small portable desk, he began writing, laying the foundation of this new American government. Contrary to every other nation of the world, the United States of America wouldn't be led by the tyranny of royalty. This nation would be based on ideals!
It was a seventeen day gestation period for the birth of our country. Thomas Jefferson wrote and rewrote the words that would begin our quest for freedom. When he was satisfied, he nervously handed the document to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin for their approval.
The Declaration of Independence was the greatest decree in Western civilization!
I dare say most men would have flaunted the authoring of this masterpiece, but he never bragged about his accomplishment. Even when he was elected president, most Americans never knew he penned the document that set them free. In fact it wasn't until after his death that it became common knowledge. Doesn't that seem unusual in this day and time?
Jefferson preferred to remain humble because what he wrote was a unified statement of a country, not the work of just one man. He was the messenger, not the message. Another outstanding quality of leadership, often overlooked by people in positions of power. We can learn a lot about leading from this humble and gracious man.
How can we not be the greatest nation and super power on earth with beginnings like this? We were left a foot print to success to follow, yet I fear we've strayed. Are the people trying to send our country another way truly smarter than our founders? Do they stand on principle and act with humility as our forefathers did? I submit, that upon further review, we will find a gaggle of posers promoting their own agenda. They don't pass the smell test, and don't deserve to stand even in the shadows of such great men.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Work From The Inside Out!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
-Author Unknown
We live in an inside out world. Your key to success is to work from the inside out! Love and forgiveness for both yourself and others is the prerequisite for fulfilled living and prosperity. We are the vehicle in which love operates. The clue to becoming a master of the material world is to harness the energy of love. You have choices, including the choice to be happy and prosperous and fulfilling our dreams and goals.
You have the ability to shape your world creatively through your intentions. Your intent is the motive that lies within. If your intentions are guided by love, you'll make better decisions, attract better people, and realize a better outcome. It's the simple principle to being successful, abundant, and happy.
If things are quite working out as you wished, check your intent.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
-Author Unknown
We live in an inside out world. Your key to success is to work from the inside out! Love and forgiveness for both yourself and others is the prerequisite for fulfilled living and prosperity. We are the vehicle in which love operates. The clue to becoming a master of the material world is to harness the energy of love. You have choices, including the choice to be happy and prosperous and fulfilling our dreams and goals.
You have the ability to shape your world creatively through your intentions. Your intent is the motive that lies within. If your intentions are guided by love, you'll make better decisions, attract better people, and realize a better outcome. It's the simple principle to being successful, abundant, and happy.
If things are quite working out as you wished, check your intent.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Seek First To Understand!
Well, a great teaching moment popped up in the news! A stellar example of how a leader should or shouldn't act, so I thought I'd take today's blog and bring it to light.
I'm sure you've all seen the video where a worker from the USDA in Georgia was giving a speech to the NAACP. The woman was describing a place in time where she had encountered a white farmer who was in danger of losing his farm and was sent to her for help. She told the crowd that she didn't do everything in her power to help because of the color of his skin, there was an air of approval that arose from the crowd. This video began on the Internet as a means to point out to the NAACP the absurdity of their resolution to call out the Tea Party for racism within some of it's fringe elements. The point was it was just as rampant in the NAACP, so it was a case of the...pot calling the kettle black. We'll get back to this!
The speech giver was called three times the next day insisting she resign her post in the USDA, the last one demanding she pull to the side of the road and text her resignation. This may have been a prudent action had this been the end of this story, but wait there's more. Apparently there was more of this video to view than was released, it was the beginning of her story of redemption, and it ended with her being best of friends with the farmer. A little embarrassing for all involved.
So here's the point...As leaders it's our job to "seek first to understand", it's a mandatory part of conflict resolution. Had the USDA upper management had all of the information available, I'm guessing the outcome would have been different. We have to control our emotions completely whenever we're confronted with anything that twists our panties in a knot, and seek all the information, then understand it prior to action. That's a great way to keep egg off your face, and avoid embarrassing apologies and hurt feelings. Don't rush to judgement.
Now a couple of side bars. There are reports that the pressure to have this woman resign came from the White House. With that in mind, is anyone else concerned about how quickly and without total information this was reacted too? After all, it is the White House that has to make split second decisions about national defense, you know pick up the red phone and call for a nuclear attack, or respond to one as a threat. I know I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable if they understood all of the information before they reacted.
The other overlooked issue in this story is the point the video was trying to make. It wasn't the racial statements that were made that were being pointed out. It was the approval of the crowd when they were made. The story here is not the statement of one individual, but the reaction of many. Apparently the NAACP has some housekeeping of it's own to do. This speech might have been an attempt to highlight that, if so I applaud them for addressing this within the organization. If not, you might consider ceasing the stone tossing, considering the glass house you reside in......
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
I'm sure you've all seen the video where a worker from the USDA in Georgia was giving a speech to the NAACP. The woman was describing a place in time where she had encountered a white farmer who was in danger of losing his farm and was sent to her for help. She told the crowd that she didn't do everything in her power to help because of the color of his skin, there was an air of approval that arose from the crowd. This video began on the Internet as a means to point out to the NAACP the absurdity of their resolution to call out the Tea Party for racism within some of it's fringe elements. The point was it was just as rampant in the NAACP, so it was a case of the...pot calling the kettle black. We'll get back to this!
The speech giver was called three times the next day insisting she resign her post in the USDA, the last one demanding she pull to the side of the road and text her resignation. This may have been a prudent action had this been the end of this story, but wait there's more. Apparently there was more of this video to view than was released, it was the beginning of her story of redemption, and it ended with her being best of friends with the farmer. A little embarrassing for all involved.
So here's the point...As leaders it's our job to "seek first to understand", it's a mandatory part of conflict resolution. Had the USDA upper management had all of the information available, I'm guessing the outcome would have been different. We have to control our emotions completely whenever we're confronted with anything that twists our panties in a knot, and seek all the information, then understand it prior to action. That's a great way to keep egg off your face, and avoid embarrassing apologies and hurt feelings. Don't rush to judgement.
Now a couple of side bars. There are reports that the pressure to have this woman resign came from the White House. With that in mind, is anyone else concerned about how quickly and without total information this was reacted too? After all, it is the White House that has to make split second decisions about national defense, you know pick up the red phone and call for a nuclear attack, or respond to one as a threat. I know I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable if they understood all of the information before they reacted.
The other overlooked issue in this story is the point the video was trying to make. It wasn't the racial statements that were made that were being pointed out. It was the approval of the crowd when they were made. The story here is not the statement of one individual, but the reaction of many. Apparently the NAACP has some housekeeping of it's own to do. This speech might have been an attempt to highlight that, if so I applaud them for addressing this within the organization. If not, you might consider ceasing the stone tossing, considering the glass house you reside in......
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Don't Go To The Back Of The Bus!
On a crowded bus in 1955 American seamstress, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Her act of defiance ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted 381 days. It brought public busing segregation to an end.
This was one person's protest to injustice. She was arrested for her efforts, but she'd had enough. It wasn't about being a radical, it was about principle. Too often Rosa Parks is adorned for defiance, but it wasn't about that in her mind. She'd grown up with the KKK driving past her house in full dress garb, her grandfather having to stand guard with a shotgun on the front porch protecting the family. The school she attended was burned down, twice. She'd had a run in with this bus driver before, when he left her to walk five miles in the rain, because she sat down in the white section to pick up the purse she had dropped. The injustice had built it self to an ugly apex. She had become tired of giving in.
Her only comment on the situation; "All I was trying to do was get home from work."
When principle guides your protest, you’re on the right side. There is no need for violent outcries. No need to degrade the other side. Americans, when given the two choices side by side, with all the facts in clear view, will always make the right decision. We prove it time and time again! The problem is when the facts are clouded by spin, half truths, or flat out lies. When history is distorted or religion teachings are interpreted to fit the agenda, we get lost in our values. Misinformation creates bad decisions, and it's rampant in America today.
Here's my thought...If you find anyone distorting the facts, distance yourself from that individual. Like Rosa Parks it's time we said enough. If a politician tells you something isn't a tax, yet defends it's inception in court by telling the judge it is a tax, so they are justified under the Constitution to enact it, you were lied to. When an administration tells you they've, "saved or created" jobs that just don't exist, you are being misled. When a preacher takes the pulpit and fills your plate with collective salvation, or social justice, it's meant to lead you astray. We will all be judged individually, not as a group. Your responsible for you in the end.
These are just a few examples. Demand the truth from those in office, in your home, at your work. Like Rosa we are tired, tired of being lied to. Sit down in the truth section of the bus and refuse to get up. And when your asked why you won't budge your reply will ring wholesome and righteous ,"I was just trying to demand the truth!"
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
This was one person's protest to injustice. She was arrested for her efforts, but she'd had enough. It wasn't about being a radical, it was about principle. Too often Rosa Parks is adorned for defiance, but it wasn't about that in her mind. She'd grown up with the KKK driving past her house in full dress garb, her grandfather having to stand guard with a shotgun on the front porch protecting the family. The school she attended was burned down, twice. She'd had a run in with this bus driver before, when he left her to walk five miles in the rain, because she sat down in the white section to pick up the purse she had dropped. The injustice had built it self to an ugly apex. She had become tired of giving in.
Her only comment on the situation; "All I was trying to do was get home from work."
When principle guides your protest, you’re on the right side. There is no need for violent outcries. No need to degrade the other side. Americans, when given the two choices side by side, with all the facts in clear view, will always make the right decision. We prove it time and time again! The problem is when the facts are clouded by spin, half truths, or flat out lies. When history is distorted or religion teachings are interpreted to fit the agenda, we get lost in our values. Misinformation creates bad decisions, and it's rampant in America today.
Here's my thought...If you find anyone distorting the facts, distance yourself from that individual. Like Rosa Parks it's time we said enough. If a politician tells you something isn't a tax, yet defends it's inception in court by telling the judge it is a tax, so they are justified under the Constitution to enact it, you were lied to. When an administration tells you they've, "saved or created" jobs that just don't exist, you are being misled. When a preacher takes the pulpit and fills your plate with collective salvation, or social justice, it's meant to lead you astray. We will all be judged individually, not as a group. Your responsible for you in the end.
These are just a few examples. Demand the truth from those in office, in your home, at your work. Like Rosa we are tired, tired of being lied to. Sit down in the truth section of the bus and refuse to get up. And when your asked why you won't budge your reply will ring wholesome and righteous ,"I was just trying to demand the truth!"
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, July 19, 2010
How to Live in Abundance!
Let's start the week off on a positive note! I was noticing that the flow of prosperity as an expression of having learned how to give and receive love. Honestly it's the answer to life. Too many people base their lives on the principle, "there's not enough to go around", or that "nice guys finish last." They live in a finite environment where abundance is limited and that applies to love as well as wealth.
Living life with this mentality, creates selfishness. If wealth or love is in a limited supply, then if you want your, "piece of the pie," you better whack off your hunk and the heck with everyone else. All of the detractors in life promote and instill this mentality. Truthfully money and love are exactly like air, the only time your thinking about it is when it's absent. If you really look into those who promote a "scarcity mentality," the one common denominator is they lack both, especially love.
A great example of an abundance mentality is Dr Alvita King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King. She has made her life's work continuing her uncle's life work. She preaches every problem can be solved with love! Honestly, she's the real deal, you can see her love for the world in her face! She will smother her foe with love and understanding, snuffing out hate. She wants the world to know, contrary to those who exploit his name, that her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King preached love as the answer to the world's problems. She is one amazing woman, the glow that surrounds her begins with her infectious smile and ends with a deep understanding gaze. Her eyes are the window to her soul, and her agenda....To snuff out hate with love and understanding!
Once you conquer the and achieve the "abundance mentality," money, love, and support seem to come easily. The right people appear in our lives, and we attract opportunity as if a magnet drew it to us. Spiritual capital is the key to monetary wealth. You have to have your heart right first! The Lord will never give you an abundance until you learn to handle a little. This my friends begins with love!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Living life with this mentality, creates selfishness. If wealth or love is in a limited supply, then if you want your, "piece of the pie," you better whack off your hunk and the heck with everyone else. All of the detractors in life promote and instill this mentality. Truthfully money and love are exactly like air, the only time your thinking about it is when it's absent. If you really look into those who promote a "scarcity mentality," the one common denominator is they lack both, especially love.
A great example of an abundance mentality is Dr Alvita King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King. She has made her life's work continuing her uncle's life work. She preaches every problem can be solved with love! Honestly, she's the real deal, you can see her love for the world in her face! She will smother her foe with love and understanding, snuffing out hate. She wants the world to know, contrary to those who exploit his name, that her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King preached love as the answer to the world's problems. She is one amazing woman, the glow that surrounds her begins with her infectious smile and ends with a deep understanding gaze. Her eyes are the window to her soul, and her agenda....To snuff out hate with love and understanding!
Once you conquer the and achieve the "abundance mentality," money, love, and support seem to come easily. The right people appear in our lives, and we attract opportunity as if a magnet drew it to us. Spiritual capital is the key to monetary wealth. You have to have your heart right first! The Lord will never give you an abundance until you learn to handle a little. This my friends begins with love!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Leaders, Lead, Not Mislead!
Today I want to visit the idea that has been promoted by religious leaders of the American-African community whereby ancestors of slaves are due entitlements they label reparations. It's not uncommon for the likes of Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhon, Jesse Jackson, or other radical liberal theologians to preach a victim mentality from the pulpit to eager followers awaiting the Word of God. This perversion of the Gospel by fallen leaders instills a resentment though out the congregation. Let's look at how the Bible tells us how to handle this.....
Deuteronomy 24:16
Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. (Please note this also highlights personal responsibility for salvation).
Backed up by Kings 14:6
But the sons of the slayers he did not put to death, according to what is written in the book of the Law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, "The fathers shall not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers; but each shall be put to death for his own sin."
Then we have Chronicles 25:4
However, he did not put their children to death, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the LORD commanded, saying, "Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin."
Reinforced with Jeremiah 31:30
But everyone will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.
And finally Ezekiel 18:20
"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.
So first question...How can a responsible leader stand before his followers and insinuate a message directly contrary to the Bible he's referring from?
The American slave suffered indignities, it was wrong to buy, sell, and trade human life. Which leads me to the next question....
How does this further the advancement of the American-African community?
We all live in trying times. It's difficult enough to maintain a positive attitude daily so you can live a productive life, without interjecting a victim mentality. Does it do anyone good to hand anyone an excuse for bad behavior?
Every race has been subject to the ugliness of slavery. The Egyptians had the Jews, The Romans had the Christians, the Nobles had the Serfs, the Spanish had the entire country of Mexico, it goes on and on. The key to success and the advancement of your race is to quit driving around looking in the rearview mirror. Not to live in the past and harbor resentment. It's our responsibility to honor our Creator by being personally responsible for our actions, and doing our very best to give forth our best effort. Being the most productive you, you can be, and following the Golden Rule, is the answer no matter what Deity you worship.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Deuteronomy 24:16
Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. (Please note this also highlights personal responsibility for salvation).
Backed up by Kings 14:6
But the sons of the slayers he did not put to death, according to what is written in the book of the Law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, "The fathers shall not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers; but each shall be put to death for his own sin."
Then we have Chronicles 25:4
However, he did not put their children to death, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the LORD commanded, saying, "Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin."
Reinforced with Jeremiah 31:30
But everyone will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.
And finally Ezekiel 18:20
"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.
So first question...How can a responsible leader stand before his followers and insinuate a message directly contrary to the Bible he's referring from?
The American slave suffered indignities, it was wrong to buy, sell, and trade human life. Which leads me to the next question....
How does this further the advancement of the American-African community?
We all live in trying times. It's difficult enough to maintain a positive attitude daily so you can live a productive life, without interjecting a victim mentality. Does it do anyone good to hand anyone an excuse for bad behavior?
Every race has been subject to the ugliness of slavery. The Egyptians had the Jews, The Romans had the Christians, the Nobles had the Serfs, the Spanish had the entire country of Mexico, it goes on and on. The key to success and the advancement of your race is to quit driving around looking in the rearview mirror. Not to live in the past and harbor resentment. It's our responsibility to honor our Creator by being personally responsible for our actions, and doing our very best to give forth our best effort. Being the most productive you, you can be, and following the Golden Rule, is the answer no matter what Deity you worship.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Measured Response!
I got a personal e-mail from a reader yesterday with an attached letter he sent to his congressman. It seems his representative thought it would be a good idea to brag to his mailing list about the passage of the financial reform bill. Well that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Mark sent him a very well worded, respectful letter asking his congressman if he had indeed read the 2300 page bill, and then pointed out a few of it's flaws. Knowing Mark's personality, I understand what a leap this was, the response he sent to Washington took him way outside his comfort zone. He'd finally had enough, he understood what you're willing to accept, you'll never change! As the movie says, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"
First, I have to congratulate Mark for using a very measured response. The temptation here is to really give those politicians a piece of your mind. It's important to be respectful, but firm. If you lose your temper, your issue will be dismissed as a rant. You must get your point across in a clear and concise manner, backed with fact, never use hearsay. Lose the threats and any other language that might be taken as irrational. It dilutes your point and gets you labeled as a loon. I totally understand how easy it would be to unload, but we want to get our points across!
They may never get the point, but sending them to collect unemployment might leave a clue! We've had examples of how the left discredits opposing opinions by depicting signs with Hitler or Communist images as racist. Those people mean well, they are angry and expressing their opinions, but they diminish the strength of the movement. Our goal is to grow in numbers, educate, and motivate people to vote. We can do that without depicting the president as Hitler.
As leaders we bear a responsibility to move people in a positive direction. Our influence is being scrutinized and criticized, so we must unarm the opposition. We'll expose and discredit the lies of the liberals, so it's important to remain above reproach in everything we do. We cannot bring the discussion down to their level, that's exactly the plan they have. When your wrestling a pig in his mud, pretty soon you start to realize he's enjoying it.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
First, I have to congratulate Mark for using a very measured response. The temptation here is to really give those politicians a piece of your mind. It's important to be respectful, but firm. If you lose your temper, your issue will be dismissed as a rant. You must get your point across in a clear and concise manner, backed with fact, never use hearsay. Lose the threats and any other language that might be taken as irrational. It dilutes your point and gets you labeled as a loon. I totally understand how easy it would be to unload, but we want to get our points across!
They may never get the point, but sending them to collect unemployment might leave a clue! We've had examples of how the left discredits opposing opinions by depicting signs with Hitler or Communist images as racist. Those people mean well, they are angry and expressing their opinions, but they diminish the strength of the movement. Our goal is to grow in numbers, educate, and motivate people to vote. We can do that without depicting the president as Hitler.
As leaders we bear a responsibility to move people in a positive direction. Our influence is being scrutinized and criticized, so we must unarm the opposition. We'll expose and discredit the lies of the liberals, so it's important to remain above reproach in everything we do. We cannot bring the discussion down to their level, that's exactly the plan they have. When your wrestling a pig in his mud, pretty soon you start to realize he's enjoying it.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, July 16, 2010
Horsehockey!!!
I'm starting to hate that this blog is moving in a political direction almost daily, but the absurdity our politicians keep handing us just can't be overlooked. Yesterday the Congress passed yet another 2000 plus page bill without knowing exactly what it contains. For the life of me I cannot process how you can sponsor legislation that changes the lives of 300,000,000 citizens, and the course of this country without understanding every word. How does one justify shortcutting that process?
The last behemoth bill was passed with the promise of an executive order that not a single dime of federal money would be spent to fund abortion. It was the promise that swayed the votes of the democrat right to life crowd. The president stood before the nation and pledged this to be true. Yet as I type HHS is setting up a program to fund abortions in Pennsylvania, and as of the first of August there will be federally funded elective abortions in New Mexico, on an 80% / 20% federal funds to personal payout. My Momma had a term for this, liar! The consequences involved a whipping and your mouth washed out with soap, to cleanse the foul odor of lying from the orifice.
Daily we are subjected to the bovine dung spewed from Washington about job creation and saving. Let's be honest, if the program was working, wouldn't more people have been employed and the unemployment numbers dropped? The kicker is the number is stoic despite the 500,000 temporary jobs given to the census workers. Since the majority of them are about to be released, we can expect a rise in unemployment job claims shortly. Wanna bet the headlines read, "A surprising rise in unemployment claims this month"? Are you that naive that it's really a surprise?
I'm totally aware that this administration thinks Americans are stupid. After all they snowed enough of us in the first place to get elected. And they do have about 30% of us buffaloed, but the other 70% are now walking around with eyes wide open. I'm beginning to understand how citizens become lifelong politicians, with the lying they could hold a job in the private sector.
Imagine this...The CEO of a fortune 500 company comes to the board room after 18 months of stagnant numbers and offers this to the board of directors. "Let's not forget the mess I was left from the previous CEO." And he's put the company in a debt that was 10 time that of the former CEO. He tells them that production numbers are up slightly, though the numbers before them don't reflect that. He claims the policies he's put in place are making a difference, but the bottom line calls him a liar. Six quarters of the same or worse results! The CFO interrupts and interjects they just need to make a deeper financial commitment, go farther in debt and these policies will begin to pay off. Can you say.....severance package?
In the real world results keep you in office. After all, you stood before the nation and told them you had the solution, it was hope and change. So far no change, and not so much hope. Lies and excuses have a limited effect. We've reached our limit. Start facing the truth, and quit ramming your agenda down our throats. Address the problems, and don't believe for a moment we can't undo what you've enacted. November can't get here soon enough.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The last behemoth bill was passed with the promise of an executive order that not a single dime of federal money would be spent to fund abortion. It was the promise that swayed the votes of the democrat right to life crowd. The president stood before the nation and pledged this to be true. Yet as I type HHS is setting up a program to fund abortions in Pennsylvania, and as of the first of August there will be federally funded elective abortions in New Mexico, on an 80% / 20% federal funds to personal payout. My Momma had a term for this, liar! The consequences involved a whipping and your mouth washed out with soap, to cleanse the foul odor of lying from the orifice.
Daily we are subjected to the bovine dung spewed from Washington about job creation and saving. Let's be honest, if the program was working, wouldn't more people have been employed and the unemployment numbers dropped? The kicker is the number is stoic despite the 500,000 temporary jobs given to the census workers. Since the majority of them are about to be released, we can expect a rise in unemployment job claims shortly. Wanna bet the headlines read, "A surprising rise in unemployment claims this month"? Are you that naive that it's really a surprise?
I'm totally aware that this administration thinks Americans are stupid. After all they snowed enough of us in the first place to get elected. And they do have about 30% of us buffaloed, but the other 70% are now walking around with eyes wide open. I'm beginning to understand how citizens become lifelong politicians, with the lying they could hold a job in the private sector.
Imagine this...The CEO of a fortune 500 company comes to the board room after 18 months of stagnant numbers and offers this to the board of directors. "Let's not forget the mess I was left from the previous CEO." And he's put the company in a debt that was 10 time that of the former CEO. He tells them that production numbers are up slightly, though the numbers before them don't reflect that. He claims the policies he's put in place are making a difference, but the bottom line calls him a liar. Six quarters of the same or worse results! The CFO interrupts and interjects they just need to make a deeper financial commitment, go farther in debt and these policies will begin to pay off. Can you say.....severance package?
In the real world results keep you in office. After all, you stood before the nation and told them you had the solution, it was hope and change. So far no change, and not so much hope. Lies and excuses have a limited effect. We've reached our limit. Start facing the truth, and quit ramming your agenda down our throats. Address the problems, and don't believe for a moment we can't undo what you've enacted. November can't get here soon enough.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It's a Front!
I listened to our first lady give a speech to the NAACP where she cried the woes of the public education system. No one can argue the lack of return for our tax dollar, but where are those dollars spent? Has anyone else noticed the schools that are being built resemble monuments, rather than cost efficient learning centers? Shouldn't that money, our tax dollars, be spent on teacher's salaries? It seems school boards want their legacy to be remembered with giant facilities as testimonies.
These are the ways of government largess. Take a long hard look at your city hall building. How about the other buildings that house government entities? Is it me or are they similar to the corporate headquarters of Microsoft? There is no attempt at frugality, in fact it actually reflects them flaunting their disrespect of budgetary concerns.
It seems they mask the lack of quality produced inside the building with a facade. It reminds me of the old "A-Team" program on TV where they would set up a front and run a scam. The difference being the "A-Team" made sure the good guy won. In government it's just a front for ineptness.
Let's demand responsibility for our tax dollar, both at the local level and in the federal government. It's our charge to hold politician's feet to the fire. Make yourself heard! Remember, what your willing to accept, you'll never change!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
These are the ways of government largess. Take a long hard look at your city hall building. How about the other buildings that house government entities? Is it me or are they similar to the corporate headquarters of Microsoft? There is no attempt at frugality, in fact it actually reflects them flaunting their disrespect of budgetary concerns.
It seems they mask the lack of quality produced inside the building with a facade. It reminds me of the old "A-Team" program on TV where they would set up a front and run a scam. The difference being the "A-Team" made sure the good guy won. In government it's just a front for ineptness.
Let's demand responsibility for our tax dollar, both at the local level and in the federal government. It's our charge to hold politician's feet to the fire. Make yourself heard! Remember, what your willing to accept, you'll never change!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Color My World!
I was mistakenly under the impression that after we finally cracked the race barrier in the White house, there should be a greater acceptance of racial parity. Silly me! After reflecting on the racial state of affairs, it seems we've found ourselves in a worse place than ever. Not since the 1960's have we seen the emergence of radical hate groups like the "New Black Panther " party. You have to figure since a man of partial African-American descent occupies the presidency, radical skin color based organizations believe they have a pass on behavior.
One would think a qualified leader would stand before the country and denounce these hate groups. Realistically they do nothing to promote race relations, in fact they're now morphing us back four decades. I know if I held a position of power, and someone similar to the KKK appeared, they would have my immediate and full attention, until the wrong doing was corrected and they crawled back into the hole they came out of. There is no need for tolerance in this day and age of racial bias.
We've come a long way baby, and it's not been a pretty trip. Why would you take a step back into the past? What is there to gain from segregating our nation into a color spectrum?
Lately I've heard renewed cries for reparation to the ancestors of the injustice of slavery. Where does that begin, and where does that end? Mexicans were enslaved by the Aztecs and the Spanish, are they entitled to a cash settlement? Anglos were serfs, a medieval form of slavery, the Jews were held in slavery by the Egyptians, the Romans took Christians as slaves then fed them to lions for entertainment. Some how picking cotton and tobacco doesn't look so bad after that last scenario. Are those groups harboring hate for generations after they suffered wrongs?
Becoming civilized was a painful process, everyone suffered, but it was all part of the learning process. I propose we learn to embrace our heritage and be proud of the sacrifices our forefathers made. It's not productive to you or anyone to embrace a victim attitude. Or you can continue to play the race card and allow the cloak of victimization be your excuse. That decision defines your existence.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
One would think a qualified leader would stand before the country and denounce these hate groups. Realistically they do nothing to promote race relations, in fact they're now morphing us back four decades. I know if I held a position of power, and someone similar to the KKK appeared, they would have my immediate and full attention, until the wrong doing was corrected and they crawled back into the hole they came out of. There is no need for tolerance in this day and age of racial bias.
We've come a long way baby, and it's not been a pretty trip. Why would you take a step back into the past? What is there to gain from segregating our nation into a color spectrum?
Lately I've heard renewed cries for reparation to the ancestors of the injustice of slavery. Where does that begin, and where does that end? Mexicans were enslaved by the Aztecs and the Spanish, are they entitled to a cash settlement? Anglos were serfs, a medieval form of slavery, the Jews were held in slavery by the Egyptians, the Romans took Christians as slaves then fed them to lions for entertainment. Some how picking cotton and tobacco doesn't look so bad after that last scenario. Are those groups harboring hate for generations after they suffered wrongs?
Becoming civilized was a painful process, everyone suffered, but it was all part of the learning process. I propose we learn to embrace our heritage and be proud of the sacrifices our forefathers made. It's not productive to you or anyone to embrace a victim attitude. Or you can continue to play the race card and allow the cloak of victimization be your excuse. That decision defines your existence.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Adversity Reveals Character!
It's been said that adversity reveals character. Never has that been more true than in today's political spectrum. It's extremely telling being a spectator to this whole process. People's agenda and prejudice's are being exposed daily. What a sad state of affairs, and a testimony to the awful choices we have made to represent us in government.
I'm absolutely agog watching the liberal faction's behavior. It's exactly like watching a child being given all their dream gifts at Christmas, and the tantrum the spoiled little so and so delivers as a thank you to their amazed parents. Liberals believe in social justice and a level playing field for all, yet it becomes apparent when their utopia is realized, that they are never satisfied. Their agenda doesn't include everyone being equal, it reflects them getting their way. And when they don't things get ugly quick.
A black man is beaten by liberal activists outside a tea party rally for handing out,"Don't tread on me pins." He's verbally bashed with racial slurs, because they believe this entrepreneur is against their agenda. This is the behavior of the group that believes in social justice.
Outside a polling place in Philadelphia, members of the New Black Panther group stand with a billy club berating potential voters in a threatening manner. Their founder give TV interviews claiming the country is racist. The white man has never lived under the oppression of slavery, and doesn't understand the black man. Apparently he missed the history class on serfdom, the Roman era, Greek culture, the Egyptians enslavement of the Jews, and the first half of the bible, where slavery was common. Anyway the Black Panther's answer is to "kill the crackers, and the cracker's babies." That's their definition of "Social Justice". How's that for racial parity?
Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the house, noted with tearful eyes after the Tea Party held peaceful gatherings at town hall meetings, how she'd seen this type of rhetoric before and what it leads to. Yet she stands in stoic silence as these members of the radical left misbehave. Your silence speaks volumes to your agenda, and lack of character Nancy.
Bad behavior by anyone should never be tolerated. The attitude of the ends justifies the means is flawed, and should be confronted. There is no left and right when it comes to wrong, wrong is wrong and can never be justified. It's a telling sign of the disease of ignorance. You'll always find the first sign of a frustrated person with an agenda is to use the race card. They can't defend their position so they label their opponent with an ugliness to attempt to discredit them. When that fails, their unchecked frustration leads to violence. It's how the ignorant react when cornered with the facts. Since we're already playing the race card with more frequency, how much longer do you figure it'll be before their frustration leads to violence? We've already been given a taste at the G20 summit.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
I'm absolutely agog watching the liberal faction's behavior. It's exactly like watching a child being given all their dream gifts at Christmas, and the tantrum the spoiled little so and so delivers as a thank you to their amazed parents. Liberals believe in social justice and a level playing field for all, yet it becomes apparent when their utopia is realized, that they are never satisfied. Their agenda doesn't include everyone being equal, it reflects them getting their way. And when they don't things get ugly quick.
A black man is beaten by liberal activists outside a tea party rally for handing out,"Don't tread on me pins." He's verbally bashed with racial slurs, because they believe this entrepreneur is against their agenda. This is the behavior of the group that believes in social justice.
Outside a polling place in Philadelphia, members of the New Black Panther group stand with a billy club berating potential voters in a threatening manner. Their founder give TV interviews claiming the country is racist. The white man has never lived under the oppression of slavery, and doesn't understand the black man. Apparently he missed the history class on serfdom, the Roman era, Greek culture, the Egyptians enslavement of the Jews, and the first half of the bible, where slavery was common. Anyway the Black Panther's answer is to "kill the crackers, and the cracker's babies." That's their definition of "Social Justice". How's that for racial parity?
Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the house, noted with tearful eyes after the Tea Party held peaceful gatherings at town hall meetings, how she'd seen this type of rhetoric before and what it leads to. Yet she stands in stoic silence as these members of the radical left misbehave. Your silence speaks volumes to your agenda, and lack of character Nancy.
Bad behavior by anyone should never be tolerated. The attitude of the ends justifies the means is flawed, and should be confronted. There is no left and right when it comes to wrong, wrong is wrong and can never be justified. It's a telling sign of the disease of ignorance. You'll always find the first sign of a frustrated person with an agenda is to use the race card. They can't defend their position so they label their opponent with an ugliness to attempt to discredit them. When that fails, their unchecked frustration leads to violence. It's how the ignorant react when cornered with the facts. Since we're already playing the race card with more frequency, how much longer do you figure it'll be before their frustration leads to violence? We've already been given a taste at the G20 summit.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Buck Stops Here!
Have you ever noticed whenever someone begins a sentence with; "The last thing I want to do is tell you how"..... The very next thing that comes out of their mouth is exactly the opposite of what they claimed? Say that finished with; "to paint your house," then the game changer comes in, "but"... So we end up with something that looks like this; 'The last thing I want to do is tell you how to paint your house but if you used a bigger brush it might go faster." So the last thing they claimed to want to do becomes the first thing they did do.
Here's another; "It's none of my business but"..... It's now about to become the main focus of their business!
"I didn't want to say anything but".... I'm going to anyway!
"We didn't want to interfere but"..... They are about to!
Here's my political favorite. How many times have you heard this said by our president and his staff? "I'm not trying to say the former administration left us yada yada yada, but".... Then they say what they claimed they were never going to say. Thereby passing the buck and laying the blame at someone else's feet. Let's pretend your a major league relief pitcher. How many games do you think you'd save if you constantly complained about what the score was when you entered the game? You, as the relief pitcher, and the president were selected to solve the issue because those who make that decision felt you have the ability to do that. It's not like you didn't walk into the situation with your eyes wide open!
Every single one of the quoted statements above speaks to character. When you start the sentence out with a lie, your point is lost. If you find yourself using this type of terminology, stop. If you want to tone down your interference try using this. "I see your painting your house, I just finished doing mine and here's a tip I found helped, perhaps you'll find it useful too." No lie to be found anywhere. You got your opinion across and didn't have to impeach your character.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Here's another; "It's none of my business but"..... It's now about to become the main focus of their business!
"I didn't want to say anything but".... I'm going to anyway!
"We didn't want to interfere but"..... They are about to!
Here's my political favorite. How many times have you heard this said by our president and his staff? "I'm not trying to say the former administration left us yada yada yada, but".... Then they say what they claimed they were never going to say. Thereby passing the buck and laying the blame at someone else's feet. Let's pretend your a major league relief pitcher. How many games do you think you'd save if you constantly complained about what the score was when you entered the game? You, as the relief pitcher, and the president were selected to solve the issue because those who make that decision felt you have the ability to do that. It's not like you didn't walk into the situation with your eyes wide open!
Every single one of the quoted statements above speaks to character. When you start the sentence out with a lie, your point is lost. If you find yourself using this type of terminology, stop. If you want to tone down your interference try using this. "I see your painting your house, I just finished doing mine and here's a tip I found helped, perhaps you'll find it useful too." No lie to be found anywhere. You got your opinion across and didn't have to impeach your character.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Jefferson Had It Right!
"If a farmer and a professor were confronted with the same problem, the former will decide it often better than the latter, because he has not been led astray by artificial rules."
Thomas Jefferson
Does that speak volumes to the condition we are in today, or what? While theory is a wonderful thing in the classroom, there is no substitute for experience. How many times was the argument made during the election campaign, that our current president has had no experience at anything? I'm all for giving people opportunity, without that there would be no advancement of our society. But you have to see the arrogance we are dealing with, there is absolutely no accountability in our current leadership. Every issue is someone else's fault. I've seen eight year olds that had more character. Mistakes are part of learning, but you can't learn if you don't admit you made one. The country has totally lost respect for this administration, they've not done a thing wrong, yet there are more disasters currently on the fringe or active than anytime during my life.
The only glimmer of hope is that parents can use this example to teach their children how not to act. When your confronted with a problem, own it. Take responsibility for it! It becomes solved much faster when you holding yourself accountable for the results. Perhaps that's why we are still dealing with oil spewing in the gulf, etc!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thomas Jefferson
Does that speak volumes to the condition we are in today, or what? While theory is a wonderful thing in the classroom, there is no substitute for experience. How many times was the argument made during the election campaign, that our current president has had no experience at anything? I'm all for giving people opportunity, without that there would be no advancement of our society. But you have to see the arrogance we are dealing with, there is absolutely no accountability in our current leadership. Every issue is someone else's fault. I've seen eight year olds that had more character. Mistakes are part of learning, but you can't learn if you don't admit you made one. The country has totally lost respect for this administration, they've not done a thing wrong, yet there are more disasters currently on the fringe or active than anytime during my life.
The only glimmer of hope is that parents can use this example to teach their children how not to act. When your confronted with a problem, own it. Take responsibility for it! It becomes solved much faster when you holding yourself accountable for the results. Perhaps that's why we are still dealing with oil spewing in the gulf, etc!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, July 9, 2010
Perks Meant For The Poor!
Racist; A term used by a totally frustrated liberal whenever they are out of talking points during a discussion. The art of defining someone in an ugly manner when in fact your not intelligent enough to continue defending your point. Name-calling.
Truth....
If not for the resurrection of this term by liberals this adjective would be all but extinct. Fact; The only form of racism still in practice today is the enabling of the disadvantaged by the liberal sect. Their control of inner city poverty areas and the enabling of entitlements continue to keep these citizens uneducated and poor. After decades of democratic over site the poverty areas of our country have seen a decline in education standards, employment, and an increase in dropout rates, drug use, crime, and teenage pregnancy. They have in fact nurtured poverty and ignorance. This same ignorance has created a cycle that keeps a democrat elected. We offer you entitlements, you vote for us. Like the man who's fallen into a septic tank with no hope of rescue...you might as well be comfortable when your up to you ears in crap. Example: Detroit, Chicago, LA ,etc.
Out of this frustration hate groups are born. "The Black Panthers", "The New Black Panthers", "La Raza", etc. Question, do any of these wonderful organizations that preach hate and violence have a right wing tone to them? Nope, all spawned and inspired by liberals. Al Gore, Bill and Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid all sit back in their mansions and collect their high dollar incomes while agitating the less fortunate with the propaganda that the conservative businessman has made his fortune on the backs of the disadvantaged. They promote illegal immigration to add to the already overburdened system, dividing up the entitlement pie even further, yet those who stand with hands out believe this is in their best interest. What has Al, Bill, Hilary, Nancy, or Harry ever produced besides hot air? What have they ever done to earn a mansion and a big income? Did they invent something? Start a corporation? All their money ,(except Nancy she married hers), came from the perks of politics. Off the backs of the less fortunate. From way up on that high hill they look down and tell the poor how the productive part of society has taken advantage of them. All that lifestyle has been supported and enhanced by the tax dollar. The same tax dollar that was meant to be spent on entitlements.
Al Gore just bought a second home on the coast of California for nine million dollars, he calls a masseuse at eleven o'clock at night to rub away the stress he feels about the plight of the ghetto. Bill Clinton collected a hundred million dollars in speaking engagement fees last year. Trust me inner city ghetto inhabitants, they feel your pain. It pays pretty well taking up the plight of the poor. I wonder how many inner city kids that money could have put through college?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Truth....
If not for the resurrection of this term by liberals this adjective would be all but extinct. Fact; The only form of racism still in practice today is the enabling of the disadvantaged by the liberal sect. Their control of inner city poverty areas and the enabling of entitlements continue to keep these citizens uneducated and poor. After decades of democratic over site the poverty areas of our country have seen a decline in education standards, employment, and an increase in dropout rates, drug use, crime, and teenage pregnancy. They have in fact nurtured poverty and ignorance. This same ignorance has created a cycle that keeps a democrat elected. We offer you entitlements, you vote for us. Like the man who's fallen into a septic tank with no hope of rescue...you might as well be comfortable when your up to you ears in crap. Example: Detroit, Chicago, LA ,etc.
Out of this frustration hate groups are born. "The Black Panthers", "The New Black Panthers", "La Raza", etc. Question, do any of these wonderful organizations that preach hate and violence have a right wing tone to them? Nope, all spawned and inspired by liberals. Al Gore, Bill and Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid all sit back in their mansions and collect their high dollar incomes while agitating the less fortunate with the propaganda that the conservative businessman has made his fortune on the backs of the disadvantaged. They promote illegal immigration to add to the already overburdened system, dividing up the entitlement pie even further, yet those who stand with hands out believe this is in their best interest. What has Al, Bill, Hilary, Nancy, or Harry ever produced besides hot air? What have they ever done to earn a mansion and a big income? Did they invent something? Start a corporation? All their money ,(except Nancy she married hers), came from the perks of politics. Off the backs of the less fortunate. From way up on that high hill they look down and tell the poor how the productive part of society has taken advantage of them. All that lifestyle has been supported and enhanced by the tax dollar. The same tax dollar that was meant to be spent on entitlements.
Al Gore just bought a second home on the coast of California for nine million dollars, he calls a masseuse at eleven o'clock at night to rub away the stress he feels about the plight of the ghetto. Bill Clinton collected a hundred million dollars in speaking engagement fees last year. Trust me inner city ghetto inhabitants, they feel your pain. It pays pretty well taking up the plight of the poor. I wonder how many inner city kids that money could have put through college?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, July 8, 2010
It Seems Obvious To Me!
I've been silent on the Arizona border/illegal immigrant situation long enough. I've patiently allowed both sides to lay out their arguments, state their case, and try to come to a conclusion. It's time for common sense to take hold.
First, it's a flat out lie that we cannot secure our borders. History has shown us other countries have done it in the past, so if it's been accomplished before by others, then we can surely do it again. For an example of a watertight border I submit the Berlin wall, history's example of a near perfect border. The simple truth is there is no desire to close the border. Quit lying and making excuses.
Secondly, what to do with those already here illegally. Now this is a complicated issue...NOT! Deport them, period. What part of illegal eludes their mental capacity? Critics say it'll cost a lot of money. Compared to what? The money we spend schooling their children, who don't speak the language? The financial drain on our healthcare system? The police and fire services our budget is stressed with? Or the never ending social programs who's budgets they drain. Realistically it'll be cost effective to return them to their country of origin.
This leads us to the third issue, they provide labor for America that we won't do. Hello....almost 10% unemployment, we need to start doing some of those jobs. Without the "cheap" availability of migrant labor, perhaps they'll pay a decent wage, so Americans won't find it beneath them to do that work. I had to laugh at the example laid out the other day. A farm in Seattle needed pickers to harvest the crop, they advertised the positions @$12/hr., they complained they didn't get any applications and were forced to bring in workers from outside the country. Without the availability of "cheap" labor they might have been forced to advertise the job @ $15/hr and I'm thinking they'd have had plenty of applicants, lowering the unemployment rate, and supplying a tax base for the government. The cost simply flows down hill to the consumers, so do we have a labor problem, or a problem with the price of goods and services? I don't think a fruit that sold @ $2.00 would suffer much being marked up to $2.25 to cover the cost of American labor. For those absolutely unfilled positions, guest worker visas, that are monitored and enforced.
The fourth argument is to deport those already here will break up families. I have this right on the top of my concern list, NOT! When someone else breaks the law and gets caught, does it bother us when they are throw into prison that their family is broken up? Not a lick, they broke the law, as did the illegal immigrants. Actions have consequences. Again they are illegal, just as any other law breaker they run the risk of being caught, and have to face the sentence. Deportation is a walk in the park compared to jail time. I propose we send their family back with them until they receive proper approval and paperwork to enter the United States legally.
While Washington has risen to elite status, America is still a country that relies upon it's working class. We are not elitists, some of us need to pick apples, cut lawns, and collect trash. It teaches work ethic and makes us hunger for a better life. It's the answer to extended unemployment benefits. The drive behind a higher education. The push to become an entrepreneur. If you don't hate where your at, you'll never improve. That which your willing to accept, you'll never change,
Thank you for listening to my daily dose of common sense!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS...I love "legal" immigrants, they made America!
First, it's a flat out lie that we cannot secure our borders. History has shown us other countries have done it in the past, so if it's been accomplished before by others, then we can surely do it again. For an example of a watertight border I submit the Berlin wall, history's example of a near perfect border. The simple truth is there is no desire to close the border. Quit lying and making excuses.
Secondly, what to do with those already here illegally. Now this is a complicated issue...NOT! Deport them, period. What part of illegal eludes their mental capacity? Critics say it'll cost a lot of money. Compared to what? The money we spend schooling their children, who don't speak the language? The financial drain on our healthcare system? The police and fire services our budget is stressed with? Or the never ending social programs who's budgets they drain. Realistically it'll be cost effective to return them to their country of origin.
This leads us to the third issue, they provide labor for America that we won't do. Hello....almost 10% unemployment, we need to start doing some of those jobs. Without the "cheap" availability of migrant labor, perhaps they'll pay a decent wage, so Americans won't find it beneath them to do that work. I had to laugh at the example laid out the other day. A farm in Seattle needed pickers to harvest the crop, they advertised the positions @$12/hr., they complained they didn't get any applications and were forced to bring in workers from outside the country. Without the availability of "cheap" labor they might have been forced to advertise the job @ $15/hr and I'm thinking they'd have had plenty of applicants, lowering the unemployment rate, and supplying a tax base for the government. The cost simply flows down hill to the consumers, so do we have a labor problem, or a problem with the price of goods and services? I don't think a fruit that sold @ $2.00 would suffer much being marked up to $2.25 to cover the cost of American labor. For those absolutely unfilled positions, guest worker visas, that are monitored and enforced.
The fourth argument is to deport those already here will break up families. I have this right on the top of my concern list, NOT! When someone else breaks the law and gets caught, does it bother us when they are throw into prison that their family is broken up? Not a lick, they broke the law, as did the illegal immigrants. Actions have consequences. Again they are illegal, just as any other law breaker they run the risk of being caught, and have to face the sentence. Deportation is a walk in the park compared to jail time. I propose we send their family back with them until they receive proper approval and paperwork to enter the United States legally.
While Washington has risen to elite status, America is still a country that relies upon it's working class. We are not elitists, some of us need to pick apples, cut lawns, and collect trash. It teaches work ethic and makes us hunger for a better life. It's the answer to extended unemployment benefits. The drive behind a higher education. The push to become an entrepreneur. If you don't hate where your at, you'll never improve. That which your willing to accept, you'll never change,
Thank you for listening to my daily dose of common sense!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS...I love "legal" immigrants, they made America!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Few Headlines From The Past!
I've been doing a little reading up on history, and presently I'm retracing the steps of pre 1776 America. The amazing thing I'm finding is how it's reported. Just change a few names around and it could be today's news! For example.....
Over seas interests required constant protection and defense against foreign threats. Not only did Britain have to maintain a large well equipped navy capable of extending British powers all over the globe, colonial settlements also needed troops to fend off natives and encroachments from other nation's colonies. In wartime expense of maintaining the armies overseas soared. (Sound familiar?)
But like any crime statistic, the records of the courts reflected only those caught and prosecuted, and failed to measure the effort put into enforcement itself. (That hasn't changed a lick)
Another factor working against a successful economic royal policy was the poor quality of royal officials and royal governors. (It's comforting to know we are not alone)
Colonial governorships offered havens for corrupt officials and royal cronies, such as New York governor Lord Cornbury, a cousin of Queen Anne, who was a dishonest transvestite. (Isn't that the description of a cross-dressing mayor in Oregon?)
In 1760 a young inexperienced, and not particularly bright George III ascended to the throne as the king of Great Britain. (Hum, swap throne, king, and Great Britain with White house, president, and Obama and that could be today's news)
The Paxton Boys movement of 1763 in Pennsylvania and the 1771 Regulator movement in North Carolina both reflected the pressures on residents in the western areas to defend themselves despite the high taxes paid to the colonial government, much of which was suppose to support defense. Westerners came to view taxes not as inherently unfair, but as oppressive burdens incorrectly used. ( Sounds a lot like the Arizona issue in today's news. They are paying taxes to protect their borders, yet it's not being done)
The British government contributed to heightened tensions through arrogance and ineptness. (Hey they said it, not me)
King George possessed a Teutonic view of authority and exercised his power dogmatically at the very time the American situation demanded flexibility. (Again not my words Mr. Obama)
Historians have thus described him as," too opinionated, ignorant, and narrow-minded for the requirements of statesmanship!" and as stubborn and "ill-suited" for the role he played. (We're talking about King George III right?)
Prime minister to the King, George Greenville, never met a tax he didn't like! (His legacy lives on! )
Isn't amazing how history repeats itself? They just change the names and titles of the players! This whole observation is a report on the state of colonial America over 350 years ago. The most important thing to consider is what all this eventually led to.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Over seas interests required constant protection and defense against foreign threats. Not only did Britain have to maintain a large well equipped navy capable of extending British powers all over the globe, colonial settlements also needed troops to fend off natives and encroachments from other nation's colonies. In wartime expense of maintaining the armies overseas soared. (Sound familiar?)
But like any crime statistic, the records of the courts reflected only those caught and prosecuted, and failed to measure the effort put into enforcement itself. (That hasn't changed a lick)
Another factor working against a successful economic royal policy was the poor quality of royal officials and royal governors. (It's comforting to know we are not alone)
Colonial governorships offered havens for corrupt officials and royal cronies, such as New York governor Lord Cornbury, a cousin of Queen Anne, who was a dishonest transvestite. (Isn't that the description of a cross-dressing mayor in Oregon?)
In 1760 a young inexperienced, and not particularly bright George III ascended to the throne as the king of Great Britain. (Hum, swap throne, king, and Great Britain with White house, president, and Obama and that could be today's news)
The Paxton Boys movement of 1763 in Pennsylvania and the 1771 Regulator movement in North Carolina both reflected the pressures on residents in the western areas to defend themselves despite the high taxes paid to the colonial government, much of which was suppose to support defense. Westerners came to view taxes not as inherently unfair, but as oppressive burdens incorrectly used. ( Sounds a lot like the Arizona issue in today's news. They are paying taxes to protect their borders, yet it's not being done)
The British government contributed to heightened tensions through arrogance and ineptness. (Hey they said it, not me)
King George possessed a Teutonic view of authority and exercised his power dogmatically at the very time the American situation demanded flexibility. (Again not my words Mr. Obama)
Historians have thus described him as," too opinionated, ignorant, and narrow-minded for the requirements of statesmanship!" and as stubborn and "ill-suited" for the role he played. (We're talking about King George III right?)
Prime minister to the King, George Greenville, never met a tax he didn't like! (His legacy lives on! )
Isn't amazing how history repeats itself? They just change the names and titles of the players! This whole observation is a report on the state of colonial America over 350 years ago. The most important thing to consider is what all this eventually led to.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The 13 Virtues!
I've been reminded of the teachings of Ben Franklin. Although he never served as president, his contributions to America as we know it are priceless. His inventions, the founding of the first library, his ambassador duties overseas, and his contributions to the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution are something that affects us still everyday. We can learn a lot from Ben Franklin, here's a little taste...
Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues:
Franklin placed each of the 13 virtues on a separate page in a little book which he carried with him for more than 50 years. Each day he evaluated his performance with regard to each of them. Every week he selected one of the virtues as a point of special focus, concentrating his attention on the selected trait for seven days.
Did Ben Franklin feel that this focus on his governing values was helpful? As he wrote in his autobiography, "I always carried my little book with me . . . and it may be well my posterity should be informed that to this little artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor owes the constant felicity of his life down to his seventy-ninth year, in which this is written."
These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:
TEMPERANCE: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
SILENCE: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
ORDER: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
RESOLUTION: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
FRUGALITY: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
INDUSTRY: Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
SINCERITY: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
JUSTICE: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
MODERATION: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
CLEANLINESS: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
TRANQUILLITY: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
CHASTITY: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
HUMILITY: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Use them wisely!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues:
Franklin placed each of the 13 virtues on a separate page in a little book which he carried with him for more than 50 years. Each day he evaluated his performance with regard to each of them. Every week he selected one of the virtues as a point of special focus, concentrating his attention on the selected trait for seven days.
Did Ben Franklin feel that this focus on his governing values was helpful? As he wrote in his autobiography, "I always carried my little book with me . . . and it may be well my posterity should be informed that to this little artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor owes the constant felicity of his life down to his seventy-ninth year, in which this is written."
These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:
TEMPERANCE: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
SILENCE: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
ORDER: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
RESOLUTION: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
FRUGALITY: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
INDUSTRY: Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
SINCERITY: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
JUSTICE: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
MODERATION: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
CLEANLINESS: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
TRANQUILLITY: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
CHASTITY: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
HUMILITY: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Use them wisely!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, July 5, 2010
Do Tell My Good Man!
In his book, Democracy in America, French observer Alexis Tocqueville predicted that colonial America would never achieve the "highly refined culture" of it's European peers, due to it's lowly origins, and the intermingling of classes. Interesting, we were destined to be a society of dolts because we didn't have a caste system.
Some Americans believed we needed to emulate Europe,(and still do), particularly when it came to higher learning institutions. So they founded Harvard in 1636, William and Mary in 1693, Yale in 1701, Princeton in 1746, the College of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) in 1740. Columbia, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth followed between 1764 and 1769. Seems like a who's who of liberal leaning institutions, no? Our answer to culture! This is how we defined the separation of classes, society's elite. America's answer to Europe looking down it's nose at us.
Lucky for us, early America had a hunger for practical knowledge. They sought out the science that would provide them a way to heat their homes, and improve their eyesight, not explain the theory of the origins of life in the universe. It holds true today the "scholar" seeks to provide alternative explanations to creation, then in the next breath tells us we need "green" technology. Yet they have no practical knowledge to provide this in a pragmatic manner. It eludes them how to provide this energy in an economically feasible and a consistently reliable way. The theory looks good on paper, but needs some good old American ingenuity to put it into practice. And why does it fall in the lap of the entrepreneurial American? Because Europe has once again chosen to look down it's nose at our energy use. They point to their cap and trade tax system as a solution.
When will America understand we left Europe for a reason. We don't approve of their division of classes, their science, nor their prejudices. Everyone has a level playing field here at birth, it's not decided who's who by what social status their parents were. There is a path to greatness here if you choose to follow it, with no glass ceiling. How many Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Oprah's have come out of European culture? Zippo, zilch, nada, none, zero! There is a reason!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Some Americans believed we needed to emulate Europe,(and still do), particularly when it came to higher learning institutions. So they founded Harvard in 1636, William and Mary in 1693, Yale in 1701, Princeton in 1746, the College of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) in 1740. Columbia, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth followed between 1764 and 1769. Seems like a who's who of liberal leaning institutions, no? Our answer to culture! This is how we defined the separation of classes, society's elite. America's answer to Europe looking down it's nose at us.
Lucky for us, early America had a hunger for practical knowledge. They sought out the science that would provide them a way to heat their homes, and improve their eyesight, not explain the theory of the origins of life in the universe. It holds true today the "scholar" seeks to provide alternative explanations to creation, then in the next breath tells us we need "green" technology. Yet they have no practical knowledge to provide this in a pragmatic manner. It eludes them how to provide this energy in an economically feasible and a consistently reliable way. The theory looks good on paper, but needs some good old American ingenuity to put it into practice. And why does it fall in the lap of the entrepreneurial American? Because Europe has once again chosen to look down it's nose at our energy use. They point to their cap and trade tax system as a solution.
When will America understand we left Europe for a reason. We don't approve of their division of classes, their science, nor their prejudices. Everyone has a level playing field here at birth, it's not decided who's who by what social status their parents were. There is a path to greatness here if you choose to follow it, with no glass ceiling. How many Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Oprah's have come out of European culture? Zippo, zilch, nada, none, zero! There is a reason!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Older And Wiser?
Happy Birthday America! July 4,2010, the day we celebrate our independence. America is the world's example of liberty and the free enterprise system. As with any birthday it's great to reflect back and evaluate to see if your satisfied with the past year's performance! So let's take pause and review.....
Congress has enacted legislation, and the President has signed into law the governmental control of student loans. The federal government now decides who gets funding for higher education, it's no longer possible to receive a private loan to attend college. Your option of funding has been reduced to one, with their terms and limitations. You know, that doesn't seem very free market like, nor does it seem to give you the freedom of choice our country was founded upon...Hmmmm.
Health care is now under the control of the federal government. This cost cutting, cost control measure once again reeks of limitations. Does a free market society founded upon liberty turn to a government agency for control of anything? Upon reflection that's not sounding very free.
The federal government has seized control of two private companies, and is threatening to enact legislation to expand that authority to financial institutions. That sounds more like Hugo Chavez then the freest nation in the world. The more I write, the farther it seems we've strayed from our mission statement!
Chicago, New York City, and Washington D.C., have tried to use legislative authority to ban the ownership of guns. Isn't that a direct violation of our second amendment rights?
Well now, it seems we have a fight on our hands if we want to remain free. Apparently we've become complacent, and it appears we've forgotten what it means to be free. Government control of anything, save the powers given in the Constitution, is an infringement on our freedom. Regulation, while lack of it leads to abuse, is the foe of a free society. Abuse should be dealt with by the laws already on the books. We have laws in place to prosecute those who defraud society, let's use them, not enact others. We have no business in business, if they make bad decisions and fail, so be it. Use the Anti-Trust laws to prevent monopolies, thereby preventing,"to big to fail" syndrome. It's not wise to lay all this on the back of the federal government. Isn't it in fact better if individual business fails, or should we overload Washington till it spirals out of control and the country's economy crashes? There is a limit to what the government can take financially.
Aren't birthday's a wonderful time to reflect?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS Just ran across this! Love it!!!! Liberty is not a cruise ship full of pampered passengers. Liberty is a man-of-war, and we are all crew. ~ Kenneth W. Royce
Congress has enacted legislation, and the President has signed into law the governmental control of student loans. The federal government now decides who gets funding for higher education, it's no longer possible to receive a private loan to attend college. Your option of funding has been reduced to one, with their terms and limitations. You know, that doesn't seem very free market like, nor does it seem to give you the freedom of choice our country was founded upon...Hmmmm.
Health care is now under the control of the federal government. This cost cutting, cost control measure once again reeks of limitations. Does a free market society founded upon liberty turn to a government agency for control of anything? Upon reflection that's not sounding very free.
The federal government has seized control of two private companies, and is threatening to enact legislation to expand that authority to financial institutions. That sounds more like Hugo Chavez then the freest nation in the world. The more I write, the farther it seems we've strayed from our mission statement!
Chicago, New York City, and Washington D.C., have tried to use legislative authority to ban the ownership of guns. Isn't that a direct violation of our second amendment rights?
Well now, it seems we have a fight on our hands if we want to remain free. Apparently we've become complacent, and it appears we've forgotten what it means to be free. Government control of anything, save the powers given in the Constitution, is an infringement on our freedom. Regulation, while lack of it leads to abuse, is the foe of a free society. Abuse should be dealt with by the laws already on the books. We have laws in place to prosecute those who defraud society, let's use them, not enact others. We have no business in business, if they make bad decisions and fail, so be it. Use the Anti-Trust laws to prevent monopolies, thereby preventing,"to big to fail" syndrome. It's not wise to lay all this on the back of the federal government. Isn't it in fact better if individual business fails, or should we overload Washington till it spirals out of control and the country's economy crashes? There is a limit to what the government can take financially.
Aren't birthday's a wonderful time to reflect?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS Just ran across this! Love it!!!! Liberty is not a cruise ship full of pampered passengers. Liberty is a man-of-war, and we are all crew. ~ Kenneth W. Royce
Saturday, July 3, 2010
This Man "Gets" It!
With tomorrow being the day we celebrate the birth of our freedom, there is no more touching tribute to our flag then the following video. I challenge you to watch it with out shedding a tear and feeling a well of patriotism inside......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq4C4PWxYdE
As the man would say...
Enjoy and...
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq4C4PWxYdE
As the man would say...
Enjoy and...
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, July 2, 2010
As The Crow Flies!
Since history has been distorted, I thought I'd point out some differences today between what's taught now and reality. Let's visit the founding of not just America but the continent of North America.
The opportunity to gain materially while bringing the Gospel to non-Christians offered powerful incentives to the explorers of Portugal, Spain, England, and France to embark on dangerous voyages of discovery in the 1400's. On October 12th, 1492, a courageous band led by Christopher Columbus waded ashore upon the island of Watling in the Bahamas. Nothing got by old Christopher he immediately recognized he wasn't in the Far East as he expected his voyage to take him, so he continued on landing yet again in modern day Cuba. He named his discovery Hispaniola and referred to the dark skinned people he encountered as Indians. He hoped to convert these people to "our Holy Faith" by love not force by giving them things of small value.
So contrary to what children are taught in school, Columbus missed the continent, and didn't kill the Indians he encountered for financial gain. In fact he brought to them Faith.
The French government answered cries from religious dissidents to plant a colony in North America. Protestant Reformation sought freedom from Catholic governments, so the Huguenots emigrated first to what's now known as South Carolina but the colony failed. They then tried Fort Carolina in Florida, but the Spanish attacked and slaughtered that colony, so they successfully settled in Canada. Another religious occupation of North America.
Numerous religious colonies settled in the area we now call the United States, but the most famous would be the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock. So it's not a leap of faith to assume most of the continent was established under religious purposes. From Canada to Cuba religion has it's influence. So why is such a major part of all of our heritage sidestepped? How did we wander so far from the truth? Could it be the principles, character, and morality that influences religious teachings is detrimental to the agenda of the liberals? Isn't it handy the left has a choke hold on our teaching institutions, thereby applying their spin on the history books?
On a side note...I used to think Sheryl Crow was an incredibly talented musician and a stunningly beautiful woman. That is until she aligned herself with the likes of Roseanne Barr and Janeane Garofalo and decided to label the people of an entire political movement,"ignorant." It's amazing how unattractive someone becomes when they choose to stereotype and judge people as a group, rather than researching the individual. Especially when the political model you support has been tried time and time again, and failed miserably. The people you opt to align yourself with speaks volumes about who you are. Lance Armstrong has just been elevated to "genius" in my book, and I now have a better understanding of the reason for that split.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The opportunity to gain materially while bringing the Gospel to non-Christians offered powerful incentives to the explorers of Portugal, Spain, England, and France to embark on dangerous voyages of discovery in the 1400's. On October 12th, 1492, a courageous band led by Christopher Columbus waded ashore upon the island of Watling in the Bahamas. Nothing got by old Christopher he immediately recognized he wasn't in the Far East as he expected his voyage to take him, so he continued on landing yet again in modern day Cuba. He named his discovery Hispaniola and referred to the dark skinned people he encountered as Indians. He hoped to convert these people to "our Holy Faith" by love not force by giving them things of small value.
So contrary to what children are taught in school, Columbus missed the continent, and didn't kill the Indians he encountered for financial gain. In fact he brought to them Faith.
The French government answered cries from religious dissidents to plant a colony in North America. Protestant Reformation sought freedom from Catholic governments, so the Huguenots emigrated first to what's now known as South Carolina but the colony failed. They then tried Fort Carolina in Florida, but the Spanish attacked and slaughtered that colony, so they successfully settled in Canada. Another religious occupation of North America.
Numerous religious colonies settled in the area we now call the United States, but the most famous would be the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock. So it's not a leap of faith to assume most of the continent was established under religious purposes. From Canada to Cuba religion has it's influence. So why is such a major part of all of our heritage sidestepped? How did we wander so far from the truth? Could it be the principles, character, and morality that influences religious teachings is detrimental to the agenda of the liberals? Isn't it handy the left has a choke hold on our teaching institutions, thereby applying their spin on the history books?
On a side note...I used to think Sheryl Crow was an incredibly talented musician and a stunningly beautiful woman. That is until she aligned herself with the likes of Roseanne Barr and Janeane Garofalo and decided to label the people of an entire political movement,"ignorant." It's amazing how unattractive someone becomes when they choose to stereotype and judge people as a group, rather than researching the individual. Especially when the political model you support has been tried time and time again, and failed miserably. The people you opt to align yourself with speaks volumes about who you are. Lance Armstrong has just been elevated to "genius" in my book, and I now have a better understanding of the reason for that split.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, July 1, 2010
God Bless America!
Well, while we are on the topic of history and what's taught in schools, this timely story hit the press. It seems the principle at Arlington high school in Massachusetts has decided to stop his ban on saying the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom and allowing the students to recite it in the hallway before school begins. You can't make this stuff up!
Charles Skidmore, principal of Arlington High School in Arlington, Mass., has offered to allow students to recite the pledge before school begins -- but in the school's foyer and not in the classrooms.
Kathleen Bodie, Arlington superintendent of schools, told Fox News Radio that “The principal wanted to be very respectful about the pledge and be sensitive to the Supreme Court ruling that students are not forced to say the pledge. He wanted to be sensitive to the diverse group of students we have.”
So now we're teaching that it's not necessary to be patriotic, along with the curriculum that changes history and takes religion out of the classroom. How appropriate for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday! Not only are we sending the message to our youth that faith isn't important but now we find it unnecessary to stand in allegiance to the symbol of our freedom. The first step in indoctrinating our youth that freedom isn't quite that important.
Once again the progressive agenda nudges us ever farther away from the principles our country was founded upon. Our national symbol of freedom is now unimportant. We can pile that on top of the Constitution not being a relevant document, it's more of a living fluid set of guidelines they can adapt to fit their agenda as needed. Our freedoms and principle are under attack, and it's coming from within. When do we call out this treason and confront it? At what point do we decide to stop the erosion of the values that founded our country?
It's time to take notice when someone says they want to "fundamentally change" America, they are talking about altering our principles. I don't know about you but principles are pretty darn important to me, right up there with faith, morals, ethics, and character. There are plenty of places on this earth where those principles are already changed. How about the next time we encounter one of these dissatisfied individuals, we save them all that work harpooning our freedoms, and ship them off to where their utopia already exists? For the present we live in the "land of the free", maybe we start to relive the finish of that sentence and revisit being the "home of the brave." Confront this treason and be vocal!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Charles Skidmore, principal of Arlington High School in Arlington, Mass., has offered to allow students to recite the pledge before school begins -- but in the school's foyer and not in the classrooms.
Kathleen Bodie, Arlington superintendent of schools, told Fox News Radio that “The principal wanted to be very respectful about the pledge and be sensitive to the Supreme Court ruling that students are not forced to say the pledge. He wanted to be sensitive to the diverse group of students we have.”
So now we're teaching that it's not necessary to be patriotic, along with the curriculum that changes history and takes religion out of the classroom. How appropriate for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday! Not only are we sending the message to our youth that faith isn't important but now we find it unnecessary to stand in allegiance to the symbol of our freedom. The first step in indoctrinating our youth that freedom isn't quite that important.
Once again the progressive agenda nudges us ever farther away from the principles our country was founded upon. Our national symbol of freedom is now unimportant. We can pile that on top of the Constitution not being a relevant document, it's more of a living fluid set of guidelines they can adapt to fit their agenda as needed. Our freedoms and principle are under attack, and it's coming from within. When do we call out this treason and confront it? At what point do we decide to stop the erosion of the values that founded our country?
It's time to take notice when someone says they want to "fundamentally change" America, they are talking about altering our principles. I don't know about you but principles are pretty darn important to me, right up there with faith, morals, ethics, and character. There are plenty of places on this earth where those principles are already changed. How about the next time we encounter one of these dissatisfied individuals, we save them all that work harpooning our freedoms, and ship them off to where their utopia already exists? For the present we live in the "land of the free", maybe we start to relive the finish of that sentence and revisit being the "home of the brave." Confront this treason and be vocal!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
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